Volume 18(1), 123- 130, 2014 JOURNAL of Horticulture, Forestry and Biotechnology www.journal-hfb.usab-tm.ro

Rhododendron ferrugineum L. and myrtifolium Schott & Kotschy in habitats from Eastern mountains and Carpathian Mountains

Căprar M.1,2, Cantor Maria2*, Szatmari P.1, Sicora C.1

1)Biological Research Center, Botanical Garden ,,Vasile Fati” Jibou, Parcului Street,no.14,455200 Jibou, Romania; 2)University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Faculty of Horticulture, Mănăștur Street, no 3-5,4000472 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;

* Corresponding author. Email: [email protected]

Abstract This paper presents results of research carried on two species Key words of Rhododendron in habitats from different regions of Central and Eastern Europe (Rhododendron ferrugineum and Rhododendron myrtifolium). It species, presents the ecological requirements of each habitat, their spread, main habitats, plant communities, association and floristic composition based on the dominance of probative Carpathian Mountains, Alps species. A correlation is made between habitats from different classifications, Mountains but with the same features, mentioning EUNIS codes, Emerald, Natura 2000, Palaearctic Habitats and the European forest types. This paper presents information on the spread of two types of habitats containing Rhododendronfrom Europe, the environmental conditions in which they live and the accompanying species involved, more or less, in the composition of habitats. It describes the types of vegetation in the Alps (Austria) and the Carpathian Mountains (Romania). Vegetation was observed following the research in the field.

Knowledge of the habitats in which of Australia, with over 200 species only in the island of Rhododendron species live becomes an important New Guinea [2]. objective in order to protect these species that in most Rhododendron species vary in shape and European countries are rare or endangered. The height from miniature , repentis that forme pads rhododendron habitats host a series of species that are under the action of external factors, as far as 30 m trees rare and scientifically interesting, from witness of ice in mountain forests. Many species grow at high ages to survivors of Tertiary or unique endemic altitudes, over 900 m, some on rocks, some are species. Conservation of these habitats will help epiphytic on tree branches. They occupy a wide variety perpetuate the species and better understand the of ecosystems, tropical mountain forests and alpine functioning of ecosystems. meadows at 4000 m altitude [19]. The genus Rhododendron L. (in ancient Greek Flowers may be solitary or in up to 24 - "rhodon" the rose, and "dendron" meaning tree) [11] racemes, the species has a wide range of colors, maybe belongs to the family , a highly complex one of the richest in the plant world, some parts of the genre, totaling over 1000 species worldwide. flower can be poisonous. Flowering period can begin According to Heywood there are around 700 species in early spring in different species until late summer, only in the region covering China, Tibet, Nepal, Assam some even in fall, and the tropical ones throughout the (Northeast India) and Myanmar [12]. Woody species, year. The fruit is usually a woody capsule, rarely soft, some of which are evergreen, others deciduous, meet with many seeds, sometimes wearing wings and along the entire northern hemisphere. Most are found appendages to facilitate air transport [16]. All species in temperate and cold regions with a high concentration of Rhododendron form mycorrhizae with various of species in western China, the Himalayas and species of fungi in a wide variety of habitats [21]. northeastern Myanmar (Burma) [16]. Due to The Ericaceae family has been divided into unfavorable conditions some of them have adapted by several subfamilies, Rhododendron genus entering losing leaves in winter most frequent seem in North Rhodoreae tribe from Ericoideae subfamily, the America, China, Japan and Europe. Tropical subfamily which includes the Ericagenus, rhododendrons, generically called "Vireya" [16], grow Bruckenthalia and Calluna, grown under similar at high altitudes in Southeast Asia (Indochina), up to conditions. The genus has been subdivided into several the south in Indonesia, Philippines and northern parts subgenera where azaleas, formerly classified separately in Azaleagenus, are now also classified in the

123 Rhododendron genus, but with a clear status, the 5 are found in the Apuan Alps in Italy (Tuscany), which anthers from the flower making them easily is considered a relic of the cold climate [3]. distinguishable from true rhododendrons [29]. New genetic studies have shown that Ledum 2. Rhododendron myrtifolium Schott & Kotschy species, until recently treated separately, must be placed in the Rhododendron genus, thereby a new Small shrub (10-50 cm), that subsection was added. Because most names from hascrenate,obtuse, evergreen leaves, with pink flowers Ledum species have been used in other species of the and pubescent pedicels, toxic, grows especially on Rhododendron genus, new names were given, for shady slopes and rockery [20, 5]. A Carpatho-Balkan example the species Ledum palustre became species, oligotrophic, mesophilic, moderate to strong Rhododendron tomentosum and Ledum decumbens acidophile, calcifuge [17, 18]. became Rhododendron subarcticum wich most often is It is widespread in the Carpathian Mountains treated as a subspecies of Ledum palustre. Instead (Eastern and Southern Carpathians - Romania, western Ledum groenlandicum kept the name Rhododendron Ukraine, but missing from the Carpathians in groenlandicum[10,14]. Slovakia), in the Balkan Mountains and Rila (Bulgaria) and in northern Macedonia, Serbia, Kosovo, Albania 1. Rhododendron ferrugineum L. [20, 5, 13, 27]. The species is protected in Ukraine (where populations are declining), Bulgaria and Rhododendron ferrugineum is a small shrub Romania [4, 18]. (30-120 cm, maximum 1.8 m) evergreen with dark green elliptical leaves, densely covered underneath Material and Methods with reddish-brown (rust) scales, hence the scientific name. The flowers are deep pink to purple [16, 1]. The The methods used in the study of plant leaves are toxic, after consumption can cause damage communities from mountain areas are based on to the digestive, circulatory, nervous and respiratory observation, description, collecting material for genetic system [29]. and structural laboratory tests. Analysis of floristic A Southern European species, widespread in composition and the phytocoenosis structure was made the high mountain (subalpine) zone of the Alps through field and laboratory activities. In order to (Southern Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein, determine the species, the following papers were used: Switzerland, southeastern France, northern Italy, north- Flora Europaea, vol. I – IV (1964 – 1980), Flora western Slovenia), Pyrenees (southern France, northern Alpina – Aeschimann 2004, Flora ilustrata a Romaniei Spain, Andorra), Jura Mountains (eastern France, – Ciocarlan, 2009. Research methods were based on north-western Switzerland and west Germany), criteria developed by Braun – Blanquetusing the Northern Apennines (central Italy) and the Dinaric surveys conducted in the summer months in both the Mountains (Slovenia, northern Croatia, Serbia, Alps and the Carpathians (Fig.1, 2). Kosovo, Macedonia, Albania) [1, 26]. It was introduced in the Czech Bohemian Massif [28]. It is Rhododendrons habitats researched in this paper protected in Austria, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia and Serbia [28]. Habitat description was made for each species of It forms large thickets in mountainous upper Rhododendron depending on the geographic area it floors, in open places, steep slopes or rare forest [20]. occupies. Habitats addressed in the paper are filled Cold climate element, refugee in the upper with official denomination of the habitats found under floors of the mountains, rarely may occur under 1600 different names but with the same species and m. One such place is the resort Schrottkogel, southwest ecological requirements, from many scientific studies of Klagenfurt in Carinthia (Austria), at just 700 m published over the years, greatly helping identification altitude, it is considered a glacial relict [8]. Also it was and correlation between them. The paper also presents observed that it can survive in the Sphagnum bogsin phytocenologic surveys on plants identified in each the southern Alps, Tyrol region, Italy [9] or in the habitat. Julian Alps in Slovenia together with Pinus mugo[15]. In the northern Apennines Mountains of Italy, Results and Discussions Rhododendron ferrugineum populations are considered relics. Rhododendron ferrugineum is found only on a Alpine and subalpine scrubland with Rhododendron few massive such as Cima Belfiore (1810 m), Mount ferrugineum Prado (2053 m), Mount Libro Aperto (1937 m), where these populations grow on the northern slopes between Biotope: Rhododendron ferrugineum form large under 1750-1937 m altitude. The conservation of these wood in rocky and grassy places, especially in the sub- populations is due to heavy rainfall and acid soil [7]. alpine level of the Alps, along with other short or tall Other small populations of Rhododendron ferrugineum evergreen, alpine bushes such as Pinus mugo, resistant to severe frost, between 1600-2500 m altitudes. The

124 main spread is influenced by soil specifics, so it will be found only on acid soils with siliceous rock substrate Plant associations: Rhododendretum ferruginei Rübel (bedrock, granite, etc.), poor in nutrients, clayey or 1911 peaty and rich with moist humus. Plants can survive on clay soils if constant wet air masses are in the area. On Structure and floristic composition: This the northern slopes of the French Alps was observed habitat is well represented in the Austrian Alps where that the populations of Rhododendron ferrugineum Rhododendron ferrugineum are found on podzolic acid abound especially because there is reduced grazing in soils in alpine and subalpine areas often with dwarf the area. Rhododendrons population has declined in all pines and other crawling shrubs with a compact layer Central Europe massifs where intensive grazing is of moss. practiced. Dominant species and characteristic species: Rhododendron ferrugineum, Vaccinium myrtillus, Synonyms used for this habitat Pinus mugo, Avenella flexuosa, Diphasiastrum alpinum, Huperzia selago, Lonicera caerulea, Pyrola - 4060 Alpine and Boreal heaths (EU Habitats minor. Other important species: Juniperus communis Directive Annex 1) ssp. nana, Dryas octopetala, Polygonum bistorta, (Acidocline alpenrose heaths (Rhododendro- Veratrum album, Clematis alpina, Empetrum Vaccinion Schnyder 1930)) hermaphroditum, Loiseleuria procumbens, Vaccinium - 4060 Landes subalpines acidiphiles hautes à uliginosum ssp. pubescens. Rhododendron ferrugineux (CORINE) In this habitat we find many endemic plants - F2.2 Evergreen alpine and subalpine heath for the Alps like:Delphinium elatum subsp. austriacum, and scrub (EUNIS) Pulsatilla alpina subsp. schneebergensis, Pulsatilla - 31.4 Alpine and boreal heaths (Palearctic alpina subsp. austriaca, Cerastium pedunculatum, Habitats) Cerastium charantiacum subsp. charintiacum. Other - F2.2 Alpide acidocline [Rhododendron] species from the same habitat are: Vaccinium myrtillus, heaths (EUNIS) Calamagrostis villosa, Valeriana celtica ssp. norica, - 31.42 Alpide acidocline alpenrose heaths Cystopteris montana, Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Huperzia (Palearctic Habitats) selago, Dryopteris expansa, Solidago virgaurea ssp. - F2.3 Subalpine and oroboreal bush minuta, Empetrum hermaphroditum, Homogyne communities (EUNIS) alpina, Vaccinium gaultherioides, Oxalis acetosella. - 31.6 Subalpine and arboreal bush communities (Palearctic Habitats)

Fig. 1. Locations where observations were made in the Alps for Rh. Ferrugineum (red dots)

125

Fig. 2. Rhododendron ferrugineum in the Alps (Klausen Pass – 1952 m altitude - Austria)

Table 1 Rhododendron ferrugineum field surveys in the Alps (Austria) Field survey number 1 2 3 Altitude 1952 2078 2101 Exposition N NE N Herb cover (%) 80 90 70 Sample area (m2) 25 25 25 Rhododendron ferrugineum 4 5 4 Vaccinium myrtillus 3 3 2 Pinus mugo + - + Larix decidua - - + Gentiana burseri - + + Vaccinium gaultherioides 3 3 2 Juniperus sibirica 2 1 1 Juncus trifidus 1 2 2 Luzula sieberi + - + Blechnum spicant + + - Calluna vulgaris - + - Avenella flexuosa 1 + 2 Homogyne alpina + + + Lonicera nigra - + - Huperzia selago + - - Melampyrum sylvaticum + + - Pyrola minor - + - Nardus stricta + 1 +

126 Gentiana punctata - + - Anthoxanthum alpinum + + - Geum montanum + - + Festuca varia + + + Orthilia secunda + - - Arctostaphylos uva-ursi - - + Solidago virgaurea subsp. minuta + + + Leontodon helveticus - - + Luzula alpinopilosa + + + Arnica montana + - + Pinus cembra + - - Agrostis rupestris - + + Deschampsia cespitosa + - - Empetrum nigrum subsp. hermaphroditum + + - Poa chaixii + + + Calamagrostis villosa + + - Cystopteris montana - + - Vaccinium vitis-idaea + 1 + Campanula alpina - + -

Alpine and subalpine scrubland with Rhododendron Synonyms used for this habitat myrtifolium - 4060 Alpine and Boreal heaths (EU Habitats Biotope: In Romania this habitat is frequent Directive Annex 1) on large areas in subalpine and alpine floors, especially - 31.4 Alpine and Boreal heaths (CORINE) in the juniper zone, between 1800 - 2200 (2300) m - F2.224 Carpathian Rhododendron kotschyi altitude with heavy rainfall (Fig. 3). heaths (Emerald) These habitats are installed on slopes and - F2.225 Balkan Rhododendron kotschyi ridges with northern and northeastern exposition, with heaths (Emerald) medium or large inclinations. The substrate consists of - F2.2 Carpathian [Rhododendron kotschyi] siliceous rocks, rarely limestone. Soils are shallow, heaths (EUNIS) skeletal lithosols, sometimes on screen, with strong - F2.2 Balkan [Rhododendron kotschyi] heaths acid to acid reaction (pH 4.7 to 5.4). It is a habitat that (EUNIS) requires protection, especially in Bucegi Mountains - 31.424 Carpathian Kotschy's alpenrose being subjected to numerous human activities with heaths (Palearctic Habitats) negative impact especially overgrazing, destruction of - 31.425 Rhodopide and Balkan Kotschy's shrub vegetation to increase grassland surface in these alpenrose heaths (Palearctic Habitats) areas. Also Rhododendron myrtifolium is quite - R3104 Rhododendron scrubland southeast sensitive to late and heavy frosts, being stronger Carpathian (Rhododendron myrtifolium) with developed only in areas with permanent snow and full blueberries (Vaccinium myrtillus) [6] coverage. The habitat has a high conservation value, sheltering many rare, vulnerable and endemic plants Plant associations Rhododendro myrtifolii – such as: Campanula serrata, Salix retusa, Viola alpina, Vaccinietum (Borza 1959) Boscaiu 1971. Armeria alpina.

127

Fig. 3. Locations where observations were made in the Carpathian Mountains for Rh. myrtifolium

Structure and floristic composition: scoparium, Hylocomyum splendens, Polytrichum Generally the species involved are of alpine, juniperinum. Other important species: Bruckenthalia circumpolar and boreal origin, most of them spiculifolia, Pinus mugo, Juniperus sibirica, acidophilus. Phytocoenosis is primary, but may extend Campanula abietina, Campanula serrata, Pinus secondary on degraded soils, deforested spruce and cembra, Carex atrata, Avenula versicolor, Picea abies, juniper forest trees. Dominant species and Luzula sylvatica, Soldanella hungarica ssp.major, characteristic: Rhododendron myrtifolium (Rh. kotschy) Calamagrostis villosa, Lonicera caerulea, Oxalis (Fig. 4), Vaccinium myrtillus, Vaccinium vitis- acetosella, Deschampsia flexuosa, Melampyrum idaea,Vaccinium gaultherioides, Saxifraga paniculata, sylvaticum, Huperzia selago, Lycopodium annotinum, Campanula kladniana. They achieve coverage of 80- Potentilla aurea ssp. chrysocraspeda.Rhododendron 100%. Grasses layer is dominated by: Nardus stricta, myrtifolium under wood is widespread in Bucegi Anthoxanthum odoratum, Luzula luzuloides, Potentilla Mountains where they have an ecological role in ternata, Homogyne alpina, Loiseleuria procumbens, stabilizing coast and screens. Geum montanum and a series of moss: Dicranum

Fig. 4. Rhododendron myrtifolium in Bucegi Mountains (Furnica Mountain – 2028 m altitude)

128 Table 2 Rhododendron myrtifoliumsurvey in the Carpathian Mountains (Retezat) Survey number 1 2 3 Altitude 1990 2025 2040 Exposition NE N N Herb cover (%) 90 70 60 Sample area (m2) 25 25 25 Rhododendron myrtifolium 4 5 4 Vaccinium gaultherioides 3 3 2 Vaccinium myrtillus 2 2 1 Vaccinium vitis-idaea 1 + 1 Campanula alpina + + + Saxifraga paniculata - + + Campanula kladniana 1 + + Nardus stricta 1 + + Anthoxanthum odoratum + - + Potentilla ternata + + - Bruckenthalia spiculifolia + - - Primula minima + + - Homogyne alpina + + - Festuca supina + - + Luzula luzuloides + + - Loiseleuria procumbens + - - Geum montanum + - - Pinus cembra + - - Campanula serrata - + - Luzula sylvatica + - + Calamagrostis villosa + - - Avenula versicolor + - + Lonicera caerulea - - + Melampyrum sylvaticum + - - Carex atrata - - + Soldanella hungarica subsp. major + - - Deschampsia flexuosa - + + Huperzia selago + + - Picea abies + - - Lycopodium annotinum + - - Potentilla aurea subsp. chrysocraspeda + - + Dianthus gelidus + - - Juncus trifidus + + + Oxyria dygina - + - Thymus pulcherrimus + + + Viola alpina - - + Senecio carpaticus + - - Oxytropis halleri - + +

Conclusions From observations made on the field can conclude that these habitats have a fragile structure and can be easily Rhododendron ferrugineum and affected by human activities such as excessive grazing Rhododendron myrtifolium are two enlightening and tourist activities. species for the presented habitats, habitats that have a high conservative value sheltering numerous rare, References endemic and endangered plants both in the Carpathian Mountains and the Alps. The two species also have a 1.Aeschimann, D., Lauber, K., Moser, D.M., special ecological role by securing coast and screens Theurillat, J.-P. (2004): Flora Alpina, Vol.1, Belin, and limiting soil erosion in regions that vegetates. Paris.

129 2.Argent, G. (2006): Rhododendrons of subgenus gozdarskih društev Slovenije - Gozdarska založba, Vireya. Royal Cultural Society, London, United Ljubljana, Slovenia. Kingdom. 16.Lord, T. (2003): Flora: The gardener’s bible: more 3.Bedini, G., Ansaldi, M., Garbari, F. (2007): Mapping than 20000 garden plants from around the world. and demography of endangered plants in the Apuan Cassel, Vol.2, London, United Kingdom. Alps, NW Tuscany, Italy. Bocconea 21: 27-44. 17.Sârbu, A., Anastasiu, P., Smarandache, D., Pascale, 4.Boratyński, A., Piwczyński, M., Didukh, Y.P., G., Liţescu, S., Mihai, D.C. (2013): Habitate cu Tasenkevich, L., Romo, A., Ratyńska, H. (2006): valoare conservativă din Parcul Natural Bucegi Distribution and phytocoenotic characteristics of relict (Habitats with conservation value from Bucegi Natural populations of Rhododendron myrtifolium (Ericaceae) Park). Editura Ceres (Ceres Publisher House), in the Ukrainian Carpathians. Polish Botanical Studies Bucharest, Romania. 22: 53-62. 18.Sârbu, I., Ştefan, N., Oprea, A. (2013): Plante 5.Ciocârlan, V. (2009): Flora ilustrată a României, vasculare din România. Editura VictorBVictor. Iaşi, Pteridophyta et Spermatophyta. Editura Ceres, Romania. Bucureşti. 19.Suzuki, M., Ohba, H. (1988): Wood structural 6.Doniţă, N., Popescu, A., Păucă-Comănescu, M., Diversity Among Himalayan Rhododendron. Iowa Mihăilescu, S., Biriş, I.-A. (2005): Habitatele din Bulletin n.s., 9(4): 317-326. România. Editura Tehnică – Silvică, Bucureşti. 20.Tutin, T.G., Heywood, V.H., Burges, N.A., Moore, 7.Ferrarini, E. (1973): Rhododendron ferrugineum L. D.M., Valentine, D.H., Walters, S.M., Webb, D.A. in fitocenosi relitte dell’Appennino settentrionale. Plant (1972): Flora Europaea, Volume 3: Diapensiaceae to Biosystem, 107: 143-156. Myoporaceae. Cambridge University Press, 8.Franz W.R. & Leute, G.H. (1994): Ein Cambridge, United Kingdom. überraschender Neufund der Rostblättrigen Alpenrose, 21.Vohník, M., Albrechtová, J. (2011): The Co- Rhododendron ferrugineum L., am Schrottkogel bei occurrence and Morphological Continuum Between Klagenfurt in Kärnten, Mit Hinweisen über den Ericoid Mycorrhiza and Dark Septate Endophytes in Reliktcharakter von dealpinen Pflanzen in den Roots of Six European Rhododendron Species. Folia Tieflagen Kärntens. Wulfeia-Mitt. d. Bot. Gartens d. Geobotanica, Vol. 46, Issue 4, p. 373-386, Czech Lds. Kärnten, Bd.3: 73-93. Republic. 9.Gerdol, R., Tomaselli, M., Bragazza, L. (1994): A 22.***CORINE: Landes subalpines acidiphiles hautes Floristic-Ecologic Classification of Five Mire Sites in à Rhododendron ferrugineux, Extrait du Manuel the Montane-Subalpine Belt of South Tyrol (S Alps, d’interprétation des habitats de l’Union européenne, Italy), Phyton (Horn, Austria). Vol. 34, Fasc. 1: 35-56. France. 10.Harmaja, H. (2002): Rhododendron subulatum, 23.***Council Of Europe (2011): Interpretation comb. Nova (Ericaceae). Ann. Bot. Fennici 39: 183- Manual of the Emerald Habitats.Resolution 4 Version 184, Helsinki, Finland. 2010. Directorate of Culture and Cultural and Natural 11.Harper, D. (2001-2014): Onlyne etymology Heritage in collaboration with ETC/BD and Marc dictionary: Roekaerts, Strasbourg. – Emerald. (http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=rhodode 24.***EEA (2002): EUNIS habitat classification. ndron) Version 2.3. Copenhagen, European Environment 12.Heywood, V.H. (1978): Flowering Plants of the Agency (Internet publication: World. Oxford University, Oxford. http://eunis.eea.europa.eu/habitats.jsp). 13.Kliment, J., Šibík, j., Šibíková, I. Jarolímek, I., 25.***Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC - Council Dúbravcová, Z., Uhlířová, J. (2010): High-altitude Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the vegetation of the Western Carpathians – a conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and syntaxonomical review. Biologia 65/6: 965—989. flora, (OJ L 206, 22.7.92). 14.Kron, K.A., Judd, W.S. (1990): Phylogenetic 26.***http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi- relationships within the Rhodoreae (Ericaceae) with bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?5110 (USDA Germplasm specific comments on the placement of Ledum. Syst. Resources Information Network, United States) Bot. 15: 57-68. 27.***http://ww2.bgbm.org/EuroPlusMed/PTaxonDeta 15.Kutnar, L. (2013): Visokobarjanska vegetacija v ilOccurrence.asp?NameId=19521&PTRefFk=7100000 Sloveniji: združbe šotnih mahov, rušja in smreke. Silva 28.*** http://botany.cz (Botany Czech Republic) Slovenica. Gozdarski inštitut Slovenije: Zveza 29***http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhododendron#cite _note-Argent_2006-12.

130